Ballot-box



(No Model.) l v 2 sheets-sheet 2.

R. G. WOOD.

BALLUT BOX.

No. 387,572. Papented Aug. 7,1888.

VIII-3.7.

laire rares PATENT einen.,

RICHARD G. VOOD, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

BALLoTj-Box.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,572, dated August 7, 1888.

Application filed August 3l, 1857.

.of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ballot-Boxes, of which the following` is a specification.

rllhis invention is an improvement upon the ballot box for which Letters Patent No. 340,069 were granted to me April 13, 1886.

It consists in novel means for so constructing the box that its contents are inaccessible :i rom the outside to unauthorized persons.

It consists, also, in means whereby the bal` lot opening and the registering mechanism is locked so that aballot cannot be inserted except at tlieproper time and in the proper manner.

It also consists in means whereby each ballot will in its passage into the box automatically release the actuating mechanism which carries it, which mechanism will be again automatically locked after the ballot has passed until the nextis introduced, thus eli'ectually preventing false registration.

It consists, also, in certain other details of construction and combination of parts, all of which will be first fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and then particularly referred to and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by` similar reference-letters wherever they occur throughout the varions views, Figure l is a perspective view of my registering ballot-box with the turret or head which contains the canceling and registering mechanism in the position it is to occupy when the ballots are being cast. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through line a; x. Fig. 3 is a plan view with the turret turned, as it should be after the close of election, to prevent lt-he canceling or registering mechanism being injured or tampered with, as well as to prevent the further introduction ofballots. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the box, showing the top in inverted plan view with the registering and canceling mechanism removed. Fig. 5 is an edge elevation ofthe turret inverted. Fig 6 is a detail view,in vertical section,of the form of turret used for cheap or non registering and canceling boxes, illustrating a simple means for locking the ballot-opening` after the elec- Seiial No. $148,356. (No model.)

tion is closed. Fig. 7 is an inverted plan view of the turret containing the mechanism for introducing the ballots, printing and canceling them, registering the number of the vote east, and giving audible notice when each ballot is cast. Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section through the frame of the mechanism and crankshaft on line y y of Fig. 7. This view shows the mechanism iu side elevation removed from the turret and in the position it occupies when a ballot is started into the box. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the mechanism after the ballot has been deposited and in position to receive another. Fig. 1() is an edge elevation of the cam which operates the arm of the alarm, and Fig. l1 is an end elevation of the cam which actuates the register.

The top and bottom of the box are, for lightness, niade of wood, having the grain arranged in opposite directions to prevent warping.

They are each recessed to receive the metalbound columns A, and grooved to receive the combination wire and glass sides B, the top and bottom edges of which restin these grooves, While the side edges rest in rabbets in the columns A'. On the bottom, and parallel with grooves upon opposite sides, are secured across the grain of the wood two metal bars, C, the opposite ends of which have square or non-circular openings to receive the square Shanks of the cap-nuts c, which project through from beneath, the heads of the nuts serving as feet for the box. To the under side of the top are also secured similar metal bars, C. These are perforated at the ends,

and the upper portions of the perforations couuterbored to receive the heads of the bolts D, the lower screw-threaded ends of which, entering the nuts c, clamp the sides and columns firmly between the 'top and bottom. The bolts have perforations d, to receive a key or pin for turning them to draw the parts together. The top of the box is provided with liandlesE, theshanks of whichprojeet through it, and also through the plates C', and are screw-threaded to receive tighteningnuts e, which assist to hold the plates firmly to the top. The handles E are made to project up above the top of the turret, so that after the election the boxes may be packed away, one on top of the other, without injury.

The top has a central opening to receive the IOO removable metal turret F. rlhrough this opening the box is secured together by the bolts D, so that when the turret is locked in place it is iinpossibleto enter the box or taniper with its contents without breaking it to pieces.

The turret F is a circular cast-metal shell. lt has an outwardly-projecting llauge, f, which rests upon the top of the box. The portion below the flange snugly fits the circular opening .in the top, and is perforated at f to reeeive the bolts of the two combination-locks G and one or more Yale locks, Il, which are secured to the under side of the top. rlhc lower edge ol' theturret has an outwardly-project-ing lug,f2, and the edge ofthe opening in the top opposite the lock Iii is cutaway to permit it to pass when the turret is placed in position. \Vhen the flange f rests upon the top and is turned to either position shown in Figs. l., 3, or 4, the lugfE passes under the top and locks the turret in place. Some space is left between the top ol' the lng and the under side ofthe top to prevcntbinding, and it need not lit closely when the turret is turned tothe position shown in Figs. 3 and et, as the bolts ofthe three locks can be depended upon for holding the turret; but when turned in the position shown in Fig. l the combination-locks are not in use, the lng and Yale lock being depended upon. In order to hold the turret steady,l' therefore provide a springplate,f", under which the lug passes. This draws the ilange f of the turret down firmly upon the top, and holds it steady while the handle p is being turned during the voting. Two lugs, ff, project out from the langef, to stop the turret in either position by coming in contact with a screw or pin. (Shown in dotted line, Fig.

Referring to Sheet 2, J is an open cast metal box. It furnishes bearings for the mechanism which prints and cancels the ballots, conveys theni into the box, aetuates the register, and sounds the alarm. The frame is secured to the top of the turret by screws passing through lugs at each end.

l( K are rolls covered with lelt or some absorbent material for supplying the rubbercovered printing and canceling roll L with ink, and M is a rubber frietioirroll in contact with roll L, for conveying the ballots into the box. rFhe inlring-rolls and the rolls L M do not differ from those shown in my said former patent, except that I print a small circle concentric to the puncturing-point, so as to more easily detect false ballots should they be by any irregular means placed in the box.

N is a swinging frame piroted upon the journals of roll K. lts free end is held, when in its normal position, beneath the discharge of rolls L M by a spiral spring, n, one end of which is secured to a downwardlyprojecting arm, n?, of frame N, and the opposite end is secured on a pin or projection from frame J. The frame N has an upwardly-projecting stud, a, which, when the free end of the frame N guzirds the passage from the rolls L ili, bears upon the iron case ol' roll L, in the path oi' a piu, Z, as seen clearly in Fig. fl. rlhe object of this is to block the rolls from turning nnless a ballot is passingbetween theln,a|1d thus prevent l'alse registration. The ballot Fig. 8,011 its passage through the rolls, carries the lraine down fard, taking its stud a out of the path ci" the pin Z, permitting the rolls to be revolved until the ballot is discharged into the box.

The roll L is secured upon the shallJ l). lit extends through the sides ol' frame .l and through the rim of turret F beyond the side of the box, and has secured upon its end a cross-head, l", one end of which is provided with a handle, p. The circul'nferenecs oi' the rolls M and L should be a little greater than the length of the folded ballot, so as to insure the passage oi' one ballot by a single revolution ol` the rolls. For certainly ot' starting the ballot in at the proper point ol' the rolls,- the cross head I should he secured upon its shaft in a plane nearly at right angles to the axis ol' the piu Z, 'lhus the rolls being in proper position, as shown in Fig. i), to receive a ballot into their bite, the handle Vp should be at its lowest position. Now, a ballot being pressed into the bite ol' the rolls and the han dle turned, the ballot will reach vthe position shown in Fig. S, and7 pushing down the fraaie N, carry the stud n out of the path of pin I, and permit a complete revolution ol" the rolls, which is indicated by the sound ol' bell Q. The l'rauie N is prevented from moving too far by its arm itL coming against a stop, u, projecting down from the frame J, and alter the pin Z has passed the projection and the leading end ol the ballot passed the end of arm-frame N the frame is partially returned by a screw, Z', striking a cam-plate, n", secu red upon the l'raine N, so as to bring the stopn in the path of pin l and prevent the rapid revo lution oi' ihe handle getting the pin Z asecond time past the stud before the spring could rcturn to the Yframe N. This action, also being positive, obviates any danger from the weakening of the spring n.

Upon the inner end of shaft l. is secu red a cam-collar, it, lheinnerelulol which is l'orined with the knochercain @Land lheouierisformed with the eccentric T, which '.Lctuatcs the register U, which isol' ordinary construction and secured to the top ol' the turret l by screws past-sing through the ends ol' a har, a, secured upon the registercase. llpon one el" the screws which secure the register to the turret is pivotcd an arni, i', which carries at its free end a shoe, which shoe bears upon the eccentric T and intervenus it andthe pnslrrod u of the register.

The knoeker-arin Q is pivoted upon a screw secured in the side ol' l'ranie J, and has a shoe, g, projecting from one side, which rides over the notched cani ffl, with which it is held in contact by a spring, (j, connected to an extension of the arm Q', and a stud-pin on the frame J. The purpose of notehing the cam S is to prevent the handle from being turned back after the ballot has been started between the rolls without carrying it through and indicating on the register that a ballot has been cast. It will thus be seen that the handle is locked from turning in either direction sufficiently to affect the register when no ballot is on its way into the box, and that it cannot be turned in the wrong direction sufficiently to affect the register at any time.-

It will be noticed that the crosshead P/ is formed in the shape of the letter S or ligure 8; but any shape that may be suggested by the taste of the constructer may be used. It is only necessary that the projection be suliicicntly below the majoraxis of the cross head to rest upon the top of the box when the turret is turned and locked, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, to prevent the handle from turning. This arrangement, in additionto preventing any interference with the mechanism, also prevents the shaft from being sprung or bent by accident or carelessness in storing the boxes after the returns are made.

The manner of using my registering and canceling ballot-box is as i'olloivs: The combination-locks being in the unlocked position, the turret turned to the position shown on Fig. l, with thehandlep in itslowestposition, and the bolt of the Yale lock shot into one of the slots j" in the turret, and the register set at zero, a folded ballot being pressed into the bite of the rolls L M, the handle is turned once around, which is indicated by the alarm-bell Q. This operation carries the ballot into the box, prints and punctures it, and at the same time moves the register, indicating that one ballot has been east. The same operation is performed with each ballot presented until the balloting is closed. When the count is to be made, the bolt of the Yaleloek is retracted, the turret turned until the lugf'l comes beneath the notch in the circular opening of the box, which position may be determined by the point of lng registering with a mark on top of the box. The turret is then lifted out and the ballots counted, to see if their number corresponds to the number of ballots cast, as indicated by the register. Should there be a surplus of ballots, they are then examined to detect the spurious ones, which can be readily done by noticing whether any have been wrongly punctured. After the ballots have been purged and the count completed they are returned to the box, (if the lawso requires,) together with the returns,or a duplicate set of them made by the judges and clerks. The turret is then replaced, the handle turned to bring the major axis of the cross-head parallel with thc top of the box, and the turret turned to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, after which the bolts of all the locks are shot into the perforationsf, the tumblers of the combination-locks thrown by giving their arbors one or more turns, and the key removed and returned to the proper oliicer. While I have shown three locks on my box, it is evident that any number may be used.

In Fig. G I have shown my turret arranged for a cheap nonregistering and non-canceling ballot-box. rlhe only difference between the turret F and the one, F', here shown is that the top is lower and, for additional security, has an angle-lug, cast upon it alongside the ballot-opening,to receive the end of the angleplate w, which is secured to the under side ol' the top and projects up against the top ofthe turret to lock the ballot opening when the turret is turned alter the election is closed. By making the angle w of heavier material the lug-f'i may be dispensed with.

I have shown what I believe to be the best form of my invention, but it is obvious that certain structural changes may be made without departing from the spiritof my invention.

For instance, the ccrnerpillars A may be omitted and the meeting edges of the sides joined together; or the sides may be a single piece molded or pressed to the proper form.

The peculiar registering and' canceling mechanism shown is not claimed herein, as it is to be made the subject of a separate application.

I claimw l. In a ballot-box, the combination of the top an'd bottom, grooved to receive the sides, the top having an opening to receive a removable turret, the removable turret iitting said opening,the plates C C', secured,respectively, to the top and bottom, the bolts D and nuts c, for securing the boxr together-,and one or more locks for securing the turret in plaee,substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, substantially as specied, of a ballot-box secured together from the inside and having an opening for access to the interior, with a removable turret adapted to be secured in and to close said opening, and one or more locks to secure the turret against removal.

3. rlhe combination of a ballot-box secured together from the inside and having a circular opening to receive a removable and rotary turret, the turret adapted to enter and close said opening, and having its side perforated to receive lock-bolts, the lock or locks secured to the under side of the top in a position tolock the turret in position to receive the ballots, or in the position shown after the ballots are cast to lock the ballot opening, substantially as shown and described.

4. rlhe combination, substantially as specified, of the grooved top and bottom, havingin addition to the grooves depressions to receive the columns A, the glass sides B, the metal plates C C', bolts D and nonrotatable nuts c, for securing the bex together, the removable turret, and the locks vfor securing the turret in the top-opening.

5. The combination of the top and bottom, grooved and recessed as shown, the glass sides and metal-bound columns, the plates C C',

IOO

bolts D and nuts o, for securing the box together, the removable turret, andlooks forseeuring` the saine in the opening, substantially as hereinbet'ore set forth.

6. The combination, substantially as speeitied, of the top and botto1n,grooved, as set forth, to receive the sides, the plates C C', bolts D and nuts c, for securing the saine together, the handles E, passing through the top, and plates C', and the nuts e, for securing the handles and assisting to secure the plates C to the top,\rith the reinovableturret and looks tor seffuring it in plano.

7. The combination of a ballot-box secured together from the inside and having a eireular optfning in the top, the turret F, having a tlauge, f, to rest upon the top ofsaid box, and perforated riin below said [lange to enter said opening, loeks secured to the underside of said top in a position to have their bolts shot into said perforations, registering mechanism secured within said turret and having an actuating-sluttt prQieet-ing through said turret and beyond the side of said box, and a cross-head secured upon said shaft, to rotate it when turned with the turret parallel with the side ot' the box, and to bear upon the top of the box and prevent rotation of the shaft when the turret is turned to bring said shaft diagonal to the boxtop, and looks to hold the turret in either position, substantiall y as specified.

8. The combination of the ballot-box having a circular opening in the top, the turret -RICIlAl-tl) (l. WOOD.

Witnesses:

(tno. J. Muni-mr, 'Mani' L. MURRAY. 

